Learning a new language can often be both a challenging and rewarding experience. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new language is by understanding common vocabulary and concepts that are familiar to most people. In this article, we will explore the words for “dog” and “cat” in Czech, and delve into related vocabulary and expressions. This will help you not only expand your Czech lexicon but also understand how these animals are perceived and discussed in Czech culture.

Basic Vocabulary

Pes – dog
Můj pes rád běhá v parku.
My dog likes running in the park.

Kočka – cat
Má kočka často spí na gauči.
My cat often sleeps on the couch.

Describing Pets

Roztomilý – cute
Tvůj pes je velmi roztomilý.
Your dog is very cute.

Chlupatý – furry
Kočka je velmi chlupatá.
The cat is very furry.

Hravý – playful
Štěně je vždy hravé.
The puppy is always playful.

Klidný – calm
Starý pes je velmi klidný.
The old dog is very calm.

Nezávislý – independent
Kočky jsou často nezávislé.
Cats are often independent.

Common Actions

Běhat – to run
Pes rád běhá venku.
The dog likes to run outside.

Skákat – to jump
Kočka umí vysoko skákat.
The cat can jump high.

Štěkat – to bark
Pes štěká na cizince.
The dog barks at strangers.

Mňoukat – to meow
Kočka mňouká, když má hlad.
The cat meows when it is hungry.

Hrát si – to play
Děti si hrají s koťaty.
The children are playing with the kittens.

Places and Items

Domeček – kennel
Pes spí ve svém domečku.
The dog sleeps in its kennel.

Škrabadlo – scratching post
Kočka si brousí drápy na škrabadle.
The cat sharpens its claws on the scratching post.

Miska – bowl
Kočka má plnou misku.
The cat has a full bowl.

Vodítko – leash
Pes je na vodítku.
The dog is on a leash.

Pelech – pet bed
Kočka spí ve svém pelechu.
The cat sleeps in its pet bed.

Idiomatic Expressions

Být jako pes a kočka – to fight like cats and dogs
Oni jsou jako pes a kočka.
They fight like cats and dogs.

Mít psí život – to have a dog’s life
On má psí život.
He has a dog’s life.

Mít devět životů – to have nine lives (like a cat)
Tahle kočka má devět životů.
This cat has nine lives.

Chodit jako kočka kolem horké kaše – to beat around the bush
Nepřestávej chodit jako kočka kolem horké kaše a řekni mi pravdu.
Stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth.

Vyhánět čerta ďáblem – to fight fire with fire (literally: to drive out the devil with the devil)
To je jako vyhánět čerta ďáblem.
That’s like fighting fire with fire.

Personality Traits of Pets

Věrný – loyal
Pes je věrný svému pánovi.
The dog is loyal to its master.

Milující – loving
Kočka je velmi milující ke svým majitelům.
The cat is very loving to its owners.

Ochranný – protective
Pes je ochranný vůči rodině.
The dog is protective of the family.

Vynalézavý – resourceful
Kočky jsou často vynalézavé.
Cats are often resourceful.

Přítulný – affectionate
Kočka je velmi přítulná.
The cat is very affectionate.

Pet Care

Krmivo – pet food
Kupujeme kvalitní krmivo pro našeho psa.
We buy quality pet food for our dog.

Veterinář – veterinarian
Musíme vzít kočku k veterináři.
We need to take the cat to the veterinarian.

Očkování – vaccination
Pes potřebuje očkování každý rok.
The dog needs a vaccination every year.

Hygiena – hygiene
Správná hygiena je důležitá pro zdraví kočky.
Proper hygiene is important for the cat’s health.

Procházka – walk
Každý den chodíme na procházku se psem.
We go for a walk with the dog every day.

Sounds and Communication

Vrčet – to growl
Pes vrčí na cizí lidi.
The dog growls at strangers.

Vrkat – to purr
Kočka vrká, když je spokojená.
The cat purrs when it is content.

Škrábat – to scratch
Kočka škrábe nábytek.
The cat scratches the furniture.

Kousat – to bite
Pes může kousat, když je rozrušený.
The dog may bite when it is agitated.

Ocas – tail
Pes vrtí ocasem, když je šťastný.
The dog wags its tail when it is happy.

Pet Accessories

Obojek – collar
Pes má nový obojek.
The dog has a new collar.

Košík – basket
Kočka spí v košíku.
The cat sleeps in the basket.

Hračka – toy
Pes si hraje se svou hračkou.
The dog plays with its toy.

Vodní miska – water bowl
Kočka pije z vodní misky.
The cat drinks from the water bowl.

Náhubek – muzzle
Pes nosí náhubek na procházkách.
The dog wears a muzzle during walks.

Physical Traits

Srst – fur
Pes má hustou srst.
The dog has thick fur.

Drápy – claws
Kočka má ostré drápy.
The cat has sharp claws.

Uši – ears
Pes má dlouhé uši.
The dog has long ears.

Oči – eyes
Kočka má velké oči.
The cat has big eyes.

Nos – nose
Pes má mokrý nos.
The dog has a wet nose.

Learning these Czech words and phrases will help you better understand and describe the beloved pets, dogs and cats. By integrating these terms into your daily conversation, you can practice and improve your Czech language skills in a fun and engaging way. Remember, language learning is most effective when it is relevant to your interests and experiences. Happy learning!